Lifestyle
I found myself staring at a sink filled with dark red strands of hair. There was more on the floor and even some clogging my shower drain. It wasn’t large clumps, but it was definitely noticeable and concerning. This was happening every single day for weeks. My hair, which was once thick and shiny, was now dull, lifeless, and thinning. I swept it up and tossed it in the trash, convincing myself it was just a seasonal shedding—nothing serious.
However, when I glanced in the mirror, I hardly recognized the person looking back. My face was puffy, my eyes were sunken, and my complexion was pale. With summer long gone, maybe I’d just lost that sun-kissed glow. I thought perhaps I was retaining water due to my high blood pressure. But that didn’t explain the fact that my clothes were fitting more snugly even though I was hardly eating.
In addition to the thinning hair and swollen face, my skin was perpetually dry and itchy. I developed eczema on my knuckles that cracked, bled, and burned. I chalked it all up to the cold, dry winter air. I scratched until my skin flaked off, with no visible bumps or rashes—just relentless itching. I convinced myself it was nothing, but my husband wasn’t so sure.
Before long, fatigue enveloped me. With two young boys—one just two and the other under a year—I was working full time and feeling exhausted every night. Dinner, bedtime for the kids, and then I was off to sleep myself. I spent no time with my husband; all I wanted was to sink into my pillow. Eventually, I started coming home from work and napping before I could even think about dinner. My husband became deeply worried.
Was I pregnant again? A negative test quickly put that theory to rest. Having struggled with an eating disorder and depression in my past, my husband suspected I might be spiraling again. I assured him I was fine—not sad, angry, or upset—just feeling off. No, I felt insane.
He genuinely believed I was losing my mind. I couldn’t piece together the multitude of symptoms I was experiencing. I was becoming a terrible mother and an even worse wife. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get myself together. One morning, it all came to a head, and he insisted that I see a therapist. He thought I was suffering from a severe form of depression. I knew I wasn’t depressed, but I figured it was worth a shot; maybe he was right. I was out of options.
I made an appointment with a psychiatrist for the very next day. I filled out endless forms and had a brief discussion about my medical history and feelings. The doctor mentioned that it did sound like I could be experiencing depression, but he wanted to run some blood tests to rule out other issues. Fine, I thought. But what could he possibly find? I was a generally healthy 31-year-old woman.
Less than an hour after leaving the lab, my phone rang. It was the doctor informing me that my TSH and Free T4 tests were extremely abnormal. What did that even mean? It was my thyroid. Honestly, I had heard of a thyroid but had no clue about its purpose. He suggested I see an endocrinologist promptly for treatment.
Fortunately, my brother has diabetes and had been seeing the same endocrinologist for years, so I was able to get an appointment quickly. During our meeting, the doctor explained that my test results were the highest he had ever encountered and that he was astonished I was functioning at all. What did this all mean? More importantly, how could I feel better?
I was officially diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, a condition that arises when the thyroid gland ceases to produce essential hormones. The thyroid plays a crucial role in regulating many bodily processes, including metabolism, heart function, and even brain development. When it’s not working correctly, you feel utterly drained. It’s terrible, but the treatment is often straightforward and can begin right away.
My doctor prescribed a high dose of Synthroid, a synthetic thyroid hormone that assists the body in functioning as if it were producing its hormones naturally. Within weeks, I began to feel relief. Gradually, my body returned to normal. I lost weight, my face became less puffy, and my hair and skin improved. Slowly, I recognized myself again. After months, my TSH and Free T4 levels returned to normal. Over time, my medication dosage decreased, and I now take a maintenance dose. I’ll need this medication for life, but the beauty is, once your levels stabilize, you’re good. Just one pill a day for me. Simple.
I am incredibly grateful to my husband for encouraging me to seek help and to a doctor who explored every possibility before reaching a diagnosis. Eleven years later, I still take my little blue magic pill and feel great every day. I knew I wasn’t losing my mind. My symptoms were real. But I failed to trust myself and listen to my body. If something feels off, it probably is. Don’t allow yourself to become so lost in your thoughts that you neglect your own well-being.
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Summary:
This personal account details a woman’s struggle with undiagnosed hypothyroidism, revealing how her physical symptoms led her to feel as though she was losing her mind. With the support of her husband and a diligent doctor, she eventually received the correct diagnosis and treatment, allowing her to reclaim her health and well-being. This story emphasizes the importance of listening to one’s body and seeking help when things feel off.
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